Clemson recruiting moves fast — stay locked in with us!
100% independent. 110% Clemson.
Owned and operated by a 2002 Clemson graduate.
👉 Unlock THREE months of CST+ for just $1.00
The quarterback competition in Cleveland is officially underway and one of the NFL’s most scrutinized veterans appears determined to reclaim control of it.
Former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson opened organized team activities (OTAs) with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, beginning what could become one of the league’s most closely watched quarterback battles entering the 2026 season.
Watson, the former three-time Pro Bowler, is competing with second-year quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel for the QB1 role under new head coach and former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
The competition comes after a long and difficult rehabilitation process for Watson, who ruptured his right Achilles tendon during a Week 7 game on Oct. 20, 2024, sidelining him for the remainder of that season. Watson later underwent a second surgery after retearing the Achilles, causing him to miss the entire 2025 campaign.
Still, Monken said the early returns during OTAs have been encouraging.
“[He] looked pretty good to me,” Monken said on Wednesday. “Obviously, there's been a couple of days he gets a little sore, which is normal, but no one works harder. And you talk about a competitive spirit, and we don't even get to see him run. I think his rare trait is he's a bull, like refuses to go down, and we don't even get to see that here. So I'm excited.”
The Browns have rotated all three quarterbacks throughout OTAs, with Watson and Sanders each receiving opportunities with the first-team offense.
Sanders went 3-5 as a starter last season while throwing 10 interceptions, but reports emerging from offseason practices have indicated Watson could be the favorite to ultimately claim the starting role entering training camp.
Monken, however, was careful not to suggest anyone has separated from the pack.
“Nothing’s really changed other than it’s a different day and you’re firing the same questions,” Monken said, when asked if either quarterback was ahead in the competition. “I’m not trying to be mean, nothing’s really changed. I mean, we’re going to rotate those guys and play the best player and we’ll see.”
Monken later added that while he does not yet know when a clear starter will emerge, the Browns will have a decision made before the regular-season opener in Jacksonville against former Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars.
Watson has yet to complete a full season since arriving in Cleveland (2022-25), and Browns fans have largely been left frustrated by the inconsistency and injuries that have defined his tenure with the franchise.
Monken spoke about Watson’s willingness to continue competing despite the setbacks has stood out during the offseason program.
“Here's a guy that really at this point has made plenty of money. I think we all know that, right?” Monken said of the Gainesville, GA native, who signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in 2022. “He's had plenty of success, and has had disappointment in his career, a number of things he couldn't control from an injury standpoint, but to come back and want to battle, want to further his career, and change the narrative. I think it's really cool.”
Monken also said Watson has embraced the fresh start brought by the organization’s new coaching staff.
“He's been great. I think everybody would say it,” Monken noted. “I'm all for a clean slate. I want the best for every player that we have, every coach. I want the best for anybody in this world to have a great life. I think it's really cool that he still has an opportunity with a change to showcase his ability, see where he's at. I'm all for it.”
The Browns’ OTA offseason workout dates are May 19-21, May 26-28, and June 2-5, followed by mandatory veteran minicamp scheduled for June 9-11.
